Fast Buds: The American Acceleration
Fast Buds: The American Acceleration
Founded: 2010 Founders: Two American "Cannabis Refugees" Location: Los Angeles, USA / Barcelona, Spain Specialty: High-THC Autoflowers, "Cali" Genetics, Fast-Flowering Photoperiods Reputation Tier: S-Class (The Auto Speedsters)
🏎️ The Executive Summary
If Mephisto Genetics is the artisanal micro-brewery, Fast Buds is the Formula 1 Team.
Founded in 2010 by two American breeders who moved to Europe, Fast Buds had a singular, disruptive mission: to take the elite "California" genetics that were exploding in Los Angeles (Girl Scout Cookies, Gorilla Glue, Zkittlez) and convert them into stable, high-potency Autoflowers.
Before Fast Buds, autoflowers were largely considered "ditch weed" with low THC. Fast Buds changed the game by releasing the first wave of autos that tested above 20% THC. They are the brand that proved an auto could be just as strong, loud, and sticky as a photoperiod. Today, they are the largest autoflower-specific seed bank in the world, famous for breaking the 29% THC barrier with their Strawberry Gorilla Auto.
🧬 The Differentiator: The "Cali-Auto" Bridge
Importing the hype, accelerating the harvest.
Fast Buds' primary advantage is their access to American cuts. While European breeders were still working with Skunk and Haze, Fast Buds was already working with the real Sherbert and Gelato cuts from Los Angeles.
The Tech: They specialize in "Ruderalis Integration." They don't just cross a plant once; they backcross it over multiple generations (F4, F5) to ensure the plant retains 90% of the original photoperiod's traits (smell, density, potency) while gaining the "automatic" clock of the Ruderalis.
The Record: In 2024, their Strawberry Gorilla Auto tested at 29.86% THC at the American Autoflower Cup, officially shattering the ceiling of what was thought possible for an autoflower.
🚜 Breeding Methodology: The "Originals" vs. "Fastflowering"
Fast Buds segments their breeding into clear categories for different types of growers.
The "Originals" Line: They took the most classic strains in history (Skunk, Northern Lights, AK-47, White Widow) and converted them into fast, easy-to-grow autos. These are bred for stability and price, making them perfect for beginners.
The "Fastflowering" (FF) Line: These are not autos. They are photoperiod plants that carry recessive autoflowering genes.
Result: They still need a 12/12 light cycle to flower, but they finish 1–2 weeks faster than normal strains. This is a game-changer for outdoor growers in northern climates who need to harvest before the October rains.
🏆 The Strain Catalog (33+ Cultivars)
Fast Buds has a high-velocity catalog focused on modern US flavors. Below is the authoritative list.
The Record Breakers (High THC)
Strawberry Gorilla Auto: The world record holder. ~29% THC. Massive yields and sweet berry fuel.
Gorilla Cookies Auto: Their best-seller. A mashup of GG4 and GSC. Extremely sticky and easy to grow.
Tropicana Cookies Auto: Deep purple buds with a sharp orange juice aroma. 27% THC.
Banana Purple Punch Auto: A heavy Indica (26% THC) that smells like ripe bananas and candy.
Cherry Cola Auto: A modern hybrid with a distinct fizzy cherry terpene profile.
Orange Sherbet Auto: Massive Sativa-dominant yielder. Tastes like citrus cream.
Wedding Glue Auto: Wedding Cake x GG4. A resin factory designed for extraction.
Mimosa Cake Auto: A brunch strain. High energy, citrus flavor, and very potent.
Strawberry Pie Auto: A heavy Indica with thick, cookie-dough resin rails.
Ztrawberriez Auto: A new 2024 release testing extremely high in terpene content.
The "Originals" (Classics Reborn)
Original Auto Northern Lights: The toughest auto on the market. Almost unkillable.
Original Auto AK: A sativa-leaning classic with the distinct earthy/spicy AK aroma.
Original Auto White Widow: The resin queen. Perfect for old-school Dutch weed lovers.
Original Auto Skunk: The benchmark for yield and reliability.
Original Auto Cheese: Authentic UK Cheese funk in a 9-week package.
Original Auto Amnesia Haze: A Haze that finishes in 10 weeks instead of 14.
Original Auto Sour Diesel: West Coast fuel. Tall, stretchy, and loud.
Original Auto Jack Herer: Spicy, clear-headed Sativa energy.
Original Auto Bubblegum: Sweet, nostalgic flavor with a balanced hybrid high.
Original Auto OG Kush: The classic lemon-pine-fuel profile in a fast format.
Original Auto Russian: Based on White Russian. A heavy, narcotic Indica.
Original Auto Critical: The commercial yielder. Big buds, fast finish.
Original Auto Chemdawg: Chemical, gassy, and potent.
The Purple & Colorful
Purple Lemonade Auto: Their most beautiful strain. Bright pink/purple buds with lemon terpenes.
LSD-25 Auto: Deep, dark red/purple buds. A psychedelic, heavy body stone.
Blackberry Auto: Buds that turn almost jet black. Berry aroma and heavy sedation.
Crystal Meth Auto: Named for its appearance (white crystals), not the drug. Hazelnut flavor.
C4 Auto: A purple hybrid designed for yield and butter-making.
The Fastflowering (Photoperiods)
Gorilla Cookies FF: The photoperiod version of their hit. 7-week flower time.
Tropicana Cookies FF: Deep purple photoperiod that finishes remarkably fast.
Purple Lemonade FF: A massive yielder compared to the auto version.
Wedding Cheesecake FF: A heavy, doughy yielder for commercial setups.
Orange Sherbet FF: One of the fastest Sativa-dominant photoperiods available.
GG4 Sherbet FF: A heavy hitting gas strain that finishes before the frost.
❓ FAQ: Fast Buds
Q: Are Fast Buds seeds stable? A: Yes. Fast Buds produces on a massive commercial scale. Their seeds are known for extreme vigor (they pop fast and grow fast). While they may lack the subtle artisan variation of a Mephisto, they make up for it with raw power and consistency.
Q: What is the difference between "Auto" and "Fastflowering"? A:
Auto: Flowers automatically based on age (usually 3–4 weeks). Ready to harvest in ~70 days total.
Fastflowering (FF): Needs a 12/12 light cycle to flower. Flowers in 6–7 weeks (instead of 8–10). You control the size by how long you veg them.
Q: Do they ship to the USA? A: Yes. Fast Buds has a robust US distribution network. They ship domestically within the US, meaning no customs risks and fast delivery times (usually 3–5 days).
Q: Why are my Fast Buds plants getting so big? A: Fast Buds breeds for size. Strains like Orange Sherbet Auto or Gorilla Cookies Auto can easily grow 4–5 feet tall if given large pots (5+ gallons). They are not "dwarf" autos; they are yielders.
Q: Are the THC percentages real? A: Yes, but they represent the potential in a perfect environment. Fast Buds uses independent labs to verify their record-breaking numbers, but hitting 29% requires dialed-in lights, nutrients, and environment.
🏁 The Architect's Verdict
Fast Buds is the Commercial Juggernaut. They democratized high-potency growing.
They are the perfect breeder for the production grower and the beginner. If you want to fill a jar with weed that looks like it came from a dispensary, and you want to do it in 75 days flat, Fast Buds is the answer. They may not be "craft" in the way Mephisto is, but they are undeniably effective at what they do: growing loud, strong, American weed fast.
Score: 9.4/10 Best For: High THC chasers, beginners, and anyone wanting "Cali" flavors in autoflower form.